The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-01-05
8. q. HoBsoN Agent
FIRST DISTRICT COURT.
The Trial of Bishop Bassett, for
POlygamy, Begun.

At the opening or the flrSI OlStTICs
Court, yesterday morning, the bar was
filled with the usual complement OF
ATTORNEYS and others, while the audito-
rum was comfortably filed with spec
tators, among whom were number OF
ladies.
The journal of Mondays proceedings
was read. The motion for a new tlial in
the case of Child VS.. Wells, was over
ruled, as was also a motion to compel
the Justice to certify an appeal in an
unimportant petty trial.
The Court then announced that the
case of the United States VS.. VIM. Il.
Bassett, polygamy, was the next case
on the record, and the clerk proceeded
to call jury The following gentle
men took seats in the jury box: Ed
ward Sewal, Temple Snort, andrew
Larsen, VIM. Velton, Q. ID. Dudley,
Mark Fletcher, Chas Joy, G. A. Elk
lund, John Germer, Chas. Webb, Ohm
Allen, T. A. Grant. dt4.,
Messrs. Sheeks d Rawllns and Z. U:
Richards appeared for the defense, ana
Mr.. Dickson was present to see that the
prosecution was properly conducted,
Mr.. Richards examined the Jurors as
to their qualifications. He had got
almost through with the examination,
when he asked Andrew Larsen II he
had ever been a Mormon. The Juror
replied that he had; also that he mad
lived in the practice OF polygamy:.
The defense interposed challenge,
mon the ground that he had been a
polygamlst.
and a Slight alteration ensued be-
tween counsel, Mr.. Dickson desiring to
| see a pardon which had been granted to
the Juror by President Arthur. The
pardon was sent for, and q recess OF ten
minutes was taken. .,r.
Upon the resumption of the session
| the pardon was read, and the Court
oyerruled the challenge and an excep-
| ton was noted. -r
! The prosecution. excused Mr. Dudley
on a peremptory challenge, and the de-
tense asked Mr.. Webb and Mr.. CRAM
to step down.
Al. Stone, Johnson Pullam anC
George Burrows were called to the va
can't places, Mr.. Pullam went doWr
on a peremptory challenge by the, de-
tense and Joseph Jenkins took his place
! The Juror was subjected to searching
examination but passed muster and th'
neneI was completed. The indictment
charging him with, having committed
the crime of polygamy on the 14th da!
of August, 1884.
Mrs, SARAH WILLIAMS BAssETT wa
the first witness called. SIZE was mar
ried to the defendant in 1872; lived will
a Mr.. Merritt in the Seventeenth Ward
Salt Lake City; we finally moved from
there to Logan and moved back agan
to Salt Lake, May 18th, 1881; know Kat
Smith.
Mr., D1cKsoY-Did your husband a
anv time make any statement con
corning his having married KAT
Smith?
Mr.. RAwLiNs asked if any other per
son we're present when such converse
ton occurred between them. Wltnes
replied that no one was ever present OF
such an occasion and the defense OBJ
1ected to having the witness give eVl
dence on any confidential communlca
ton made by the husband during tn
existence of the marriage relation
Here the court put the question as u
whether she objected to being sworn L
the case, and the witness replied tina
she had no such objection.
The question as to the competenc
was argued at some length by couaSe
on both sides.
Soon after the argument began, MIS-
Bassett was released from the Wltnes
stand and took her seat IN the auol
forum. Soon after returning 10 ne
seat she was seen to cover her lac
with a handkerchief and bow her hea
EGIoI with
The arguments occupied the entir
dav. and shortly before o'clock tn
court took a short recess.